Lead the future of Queensland racing

A defining opportunity to lead Racing Queensland through reform, renewal and long-term industry growth.

Racing Queensland is the statutory body for Queensland’s thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing codes. Racing Queensland manages, operates, develops and promotes the codes of racing in a way that sustains public confidence in the industry and serves the collective interests of all three codes.

Queensland racing is a major sporting, economic and community ecosystem, contributing close to $2.5 billion in value added to the Queensland economy and supporting approximately 14,500 full-time equivalent jobs. The industry includes 119 licensed race clubs, attracts more than 800,000 racegoers each year, and plays a significant role in regional communities across the state.

Company Vision

To become the number one sporting industry in Queensland.

Thoroughbred Racing

Thoroughbred racing is the largest of Racing Queensland’s three codes, with a significant presence across metropolitan, regional and country Queensland. It involves a broad network of race clubs, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys, and makes a major contribution to the state’s racing industry. Racing Queensland supports the code through race programming, infrastructure investment, participant services and industry policy, helping ensure the long-term strength and sustainability of thoroughbred racing in Queensland.

Harness Racing

Harness racing is an important part of Queensland’s racing industry, with a strong participant base and a calendar spanning key metropolitan and regional venues. The code brings together owners, trainers, drivers, breeders and clubs in a specialised racing environment. Racing Queensland supports harness racing through race scheduling, handicapping, participant engagement and industry support, with a focus on sustainability, participation and long-term growth.

Greyhound Racing

Greyhound racing is a key code in Queensland, supported by a network of clubs, trainers, owners and breeders across metropolitan and regional locations. Racing Queensland works with the industry to manage race programming, grading, participant services and policy settings, while supporting the code’s commercial performance and long-term sustainability. It also plays an important role in strengthening integrity, welfare and participant support across the sport.

The Next Lap

The Next Lap sets a clear course of action for industry, government and the broader community. It outlines the next steps and how each segment of Queensland racing must work together to turn commitments into a reality.

Discover More

u&u. are proud to partner with Racing Queensland to recruit their Chief Executive Officer to lead long-term growth across thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.

This is a rare leadership opportunity to guide Racing Queensland through one of the most significant reform periods in its history. Reporting to the Racing Queensland Board, the CEO will provide executive leadership across the organisation, while delivering the implementation program flowing from the Racing Review and the Queensland Government’s response, The Next Lap.

The role requires a leader who can balance reform with continuity, honour the culture and communities of racing, and build confidence across government, clubs, codes, participants, commercial partners and the broader Queensland community.

The next CEO will lead reform while preserving the connection, identity and momentum that make Queensland racing unique.

Key responsibilities include:

Lead Racing Queensland as a high-performing statutory body across thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
Translate The Next Lap into a practical, sequenced and measurable implementation program.
Provide clear, evidence-informed advice to the Board on strategy, risk, reform, commercial opportunities and whole-of-industry priorities.
Strengthen governance, statutory accountability, integrity, probity and reporting across the organisation.
Shape an executive structure and organisational culture suited to the new operating model.
Oversee major infrastructure, property and capital programs, including Racing Future Fund initiatives.
Build commercial sustainability through wagering, media, sponsorship, events, attendance, partnerships and new revenue opportunities.
Champion animal welfare, participant safety and social licence as central strategic responsibilities.
Support country racing, regional clubs and volunteers as core contributors to Queensland racing.
Represent Racing Queensland with credibility across government, industry, media, commercial and community settings.

This opportunity is significant: to shape a stronger, more sustainable future for racing across all three codes.

Racing Queensland is seeking an accomplished executive leader with the credibility, discipline and strategic perspective to guide the organisation through a complex reform agenda while strengthening long-term industry confidence and performance.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

A contemporary CEO or senior enterprise leader with experience leading complex, scrutinised organisations.
Demonstrated success delivering major reform, transformation or implementation programs.
Experience working with Boards, government, regulators or public sector stakeholders.
Strong commercial acumen, including financial sustainability, revenue diversification and complex budget management.
Experience overseeing capital, infrastructure, property or asset programs within disciplined governance frameworks.
Proven ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups and navigate competing priorities fairly.
Sophisticated communication and media judgement, particularly during periods of change or public scrutiny.
Understanding of social licence, animal welfare, safety, integrity and ethical leadership.
A visible, authentic and balanced leadership style that can engage metropolitan, provincial and country racing communities.

Candidate Information Pack